Swimming device



{No Model.)

1). B. HAVEN.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

No. 571,858. Patented Nov. 24, 1896.

w: cams PETERS cc.. wow-mm. WASMNGTON. n c.

UNITED STATES arnrrr Fries,

DAV ID ll. HAVEN, OF STE. GENEVIEVE, MISSOURI.

SWIMMING DEVlCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,858, dated November 24, 1896. Application filed July 17,1896. Serial No. 599,514. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID B. HAVEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ste. Genevieve, in the county of Ste. Genevieve and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swimming Devices; and I do hereby declare the follow ing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to swimming devices, and has for its object to provide improved means to assist a swimmer in propelling himself through the water, to assist a beginner in learning, and to preserve life by aiding a swimmer to sustain himself in the water.

My invention consists of a handheld and improved wings or leaves connected thereto that close automatically when the device is thrust forward and open or spread and act against the water when an attempt is made to draw it back, thereby enabling the swimmer to obtain a better purchase on the water.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device with the wings open. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my device with the wings shut. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of my device with the cloth removed and wires opened.

1 is a handle having a grip portion 2 and a tapering end A. wire frame 5, having corners provided with loops 0, is held to the tapered end 3 by a clip Through these loops pass similar loops on the ends of movable wing frames 8. These frames 8 are provided at the corners with eyes 9, which serve to hold the corners of a piece of cloth or other fabric 10, which is stretched over these frames and fastened securely thereon by any suit able means. The ends 10 are provided to hold the water better. The frame 5 passes through a hole 11in the handle 1. Through the hole 11 passes also the brace-wires 12, which terminate at the loops 6. Through a hole 13 passes the cord 7, which is attached to the frames 8 at their centers. The cord 7 is provided with knots 7 to limit the motion of the cord through the handle, thus controlling the outward movement of the wings. By pulling this cord through the hole the wings may be folded at will.

The operation of my device is as follows: The swimmer grasps the handle and shoves the device, pointed end first, through the water. The pressureof the water on the outside of the wings forces them shut. hen the swimmer has reached as far forward as possible, he draws the device back. The w ter then forces the wings open to their limit, when, the resistance of the water on their surface being greater than that of the swimmers body, he is drawn rapidly forward. This operation repeated serves to propel him rapidly and easily through the water.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a swimming device, the combination with a supporting-handle, wings composed of pieces of fabric, frames upon which they are stretched, said wings automatically closing by the forward motion of the device through the water, and opening by the backward movement thereof, and a cord attached to the wings and passing through the handle and provided with knots designed to limit the passage of the cord through the handle and thus limiting the opening thereof, substantially as described.

A swimming device comprising a supl'lOl'lilllg-lltlldlO, a wire frame connected firmly thereto, pivoted frames hinged to the'fixed frame, pieces of fabric stretched over the pivoted frames thereby forming wings adapted to close upon the handle automatically by the forward movement of the device through the water and open by the backward movement thereof, and means for automatically limiting the outward motion of the wings consisting of a cord passing through the handle and attached to the frames and provided with knots thereon to limit their movement, being adapted to be pulled through the handle and close the wings, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAVID B. HAVEN.

lVit-nesses:

LOUIS Naunaan", FRANK J Home 

